Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, stop substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.